Investment Terms

Bonus Issue of Shares – Meaning, Benefits and Motives

BONUS ISSUE OF SHARES

When we invest the share capital in a business, we do so with the expectation of getting back not only our invested capital, but also a proportionate share of the surplus generated from operations, after all the other stakeholders have been paid their dues.   Thus, collectively the business owes its shareholders, their invested capital as well as the surplus generated from operations.   But in reality, while the business may pay us annual dividends, seldom is this surplus fully distributed away as dividends.   Thus, the surplus which is retained in the business is still owed to us.   This retained surplus is also reflected as retained earnings or reserves in the Balance sheet of a company.  … Read the rest

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Difference between debuntures and bonds

DEBENTURES

A debenture represents the smallest unit of public lending to a company.   Like shares, they are represented in the form of a certificate.   The common face value for a debenture in India is Rs.100, and they are always issued at par.   Unlike an ordinary shareholder, a debenture holder assumes very little risk on his investment.   Unlike the uncertain stream o dividends, which a shareholder receives, a debenture holder receives a fixed stream of interest.   Payment of such interest is a legal obligation on the part of the company.   Further, in general, a debenture is required to be secured against the assets of the company.  … Read the rest

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Risk and Return in Investments

There are different motives for investment. The most prominent among all is to earn a return on investment. However, selecting investments on the basis of return in not enough. The fact is that most investors invest their funds in more than one security suggest that there are other factors, besides return, and they must be considered. The investors not only like return but also dislike risk. So, what is required is:

  1. Clear understanding of what risk and return are,
  2. What creates them, and
  3. How can they be measured?

Return: The return is the basic motivating force and the principal reward in the investment process.… Read the rest

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Characteristic features of a developed Money Market

In every country of the world, some type of money market exists. Some of them are highly developed while others are not well developed. Prof. S.N. Sen has described certain essential features of a developed money market.

  1. Highly organized banking system: The commercial banks are the nerve centre of the whole money market. They are principal suppliers of short-term funds. Their policies regarding loans and advances have impact on the entire money market. The commercial banks serve as vital link between the central bank and the various segments of the highly organized banking system co-exist. In an underdeveloped money market, the commercial banking system is not fully developed.
… Read the rest
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Features and Objectives of Money Market

Money market is a market for short-term loan or financial assets. It as a market for the lending and borrowing of short term funds. As the name implies, it does not actually deals with near substitutes for money or near money like trade bills, promissory notes and government papers drawn for a short period not exceeding one year. These short term instruments can be converted into cash readily without any loss and at low transaction cost.

Money market is the centre for dealing mainly in short — term money assets. It meets the short-term requirements of borrowers and provides liquidity or cash to lenders.… Read the rest

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Commercial Bills Market or Discount Market

A commercial bill is one which arises out of a genuine trade transaction, i.e. credit transaction. As soon as goods are sold on credit, the seller draws a bill on the buyer for the amount due. The buyer accepts it immediately agreeing to pay amount mentioned therein after a certain specified date. Thus, a bill of exchange contains a written order from the creditor to the debtor, to pay a certain sum, to a certain person, after a creation period. A bill of exchange is a ‘self-liquidating’ paper and negotiable/; it is drawn always for a short period ranging between 3 months and 6 months.… Read the rest

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